CHINA

A whole lot of time and not much blogging

noreply@blogger.com (Kate Burgess) — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 11:14:00 +0000

Seeing as it is now a very long time since I last blogged I will skip over the already covered details, like Beijing goodbye to Yiwu and Hangzhou which were all amazing,

After that we headed to Guilin, where we ended up staying in a ghost hotel for 50 kuai, honestly it was the weirdest experience ever! We were pretty much the only people staying in this hotel, and the people there were really strange, when we woke up the whle hotels electricity had been turned off and apparently that was what happened everyday, including the lifts, and you know how much we HATE climbing stairs, especially with a couple of kilo on our back!

That day was pretty cool went to some caves and stuff and up another chairlift thing maybe even bigger and scarier than the one in Kunming, and when we got to the top we got to Luge down, which was totally awesome although Charl was way too pussy to go down real fast, and I was stuck behind some dude that worked there making sure we didn't rip down to fast. Halfway through Charl was lost behind somewhere so fearing that she had broken a limb he had to hop off from infront of me and wait for her, leaving me to fly down at my leisure.

Another equally weird night in "ghosthotel" before we headed to Yangshuo to meet up with Maddie and Caroline, two of the gappers I spent xmas with. It was great we just bumped into them in Main street, then checked in had some lunch and hired bikes to go to a place we coukld bamboo raft down the river, the bike ride was a good distance, Charl and I were both convinced the girls had got us lost, but eventually we made it and through some heavy negotiation we managed to get a very reasonable price for two hours of lugging us down the river. Charlie and I were not the perfect candidates for a bamboo boat, our tiny dude was having a rough time hauling us heffalumps down the river, our feet were also almost in the water, our feller stopped the boat to get some gumboots.

The boat ride was great a couple of hours in the glorious sunshine (it is so much warmer down south). With a couple of exciting stops on the way, in the form of small waterfalls or more rocky ledges which we had to pass over. each one our punter got out lined us up and shoved us over, we had to lift up our legs and our bags as we entered the water to about half a meter or a meter! A couple of times our butties got a wee bit wet.

On the homeward stretch us hefferlumps got beached, it was quite the drama as our half a stone punter tried to dislodge us from ther rock we were caught on. Finally I decided that we just weren't budging due to the weight of us, so off came my tights and shoes and I jumped to help, but to be honest I didn't really think that through too much because as soon as I was off the boat was free and started moving swiftly away, the punter was nippy enough to jump on, I tend to move in more of a gammy way and managed to get myself undies deep before rolling back onto the boat. To the great amusement of a fair few standers-by!

Left for Guilin the nest morning and spent the day organising our train ticket etc. Train ride to Nanning in the arvo which was about 5 hours long, we made some cool friends that spoke the English very well. We organised a bus trip to vietnam and in the package a guide was to pick us up from the train station in Nanning and take us to a hotel and give us our tickets to cross the border, we thought english speaker with driver who would take us to our hotel. Turned out we were much mistaken, a portly man swaggered up to us, showing my name on a cellphone, then jumped on his motorbike gesturing for us to follow him. We waddled behind with about 50kg worth of stuff each as he cruised along stopping only to light another cig! Then when we got to the hotel he gave us a ticvket, all in chinese and I figured out we were supposed to meet him tomorrow morning, we truly had no idea if he was going to take us to Hanoi or somewhere completely in the wrong direction (Russia was rushing through my m,ind.) But next morning old Smoky-joe was there and again we waddled behind his moto to a place with a couple of other stranded looking chinese travellers. But all of a sudden everything worked out perfectly, we caught a bus all the was to the border without a glitch and now are sitting in the hostel we managed to grab! Its all great! Nam is fabulous so far, Anyway I will update about it the next installment. This was enough to keep me going til my hour was up.
Love to all, we are happy safe and fed! Xx

P.s Mama I am a devoted follower of the blog but somehow the computer wont let me comment! Kor sounds great Xx

Christmas

noreply@blogger.com (Kate Burgess) — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 00:53:00 +0000

Christmas eve after one class of teaching we departed on the 2hour drive to Hangzhou, one in which Peter insisted on accompanying us, and then sleeping the whole way and not actually coming into the airport to help... unsure of why he actually decided to come but thats old Unc Pete for you. After about an hour of delays we were on the plane to Qingdao and arrived at about 7pm, greeted by the 4 gappers, Maddie Caro Tom and Jack, we dropped our stuff and went straight out to a little restraunt with an even littler man serving us. The girls were locals there and he was VERY excited that they had brought 4 friends. Then off to a bar Le Bang, the name being the only thing french about it. Where we spent the countdown to christmas, Qingdao seems to have a lot of westerners, and english speakers, the bar even had a western playlist which consisted of a lot of "apple bottom Jeans" and those kind of songs that are just a little bit too old to be cool.

Christmas morning we waited for the boys to arrive and then ripped into the presents. Case and I had done pretty well to bulk up each others piles, including stockings, so and I must say I had a fair few from NZ as well, so I was doing quite well for myself! For lunch we went to a place called the Diner where they well serving a western christmas meal, and I must say their attempt at roast veges wasn't too bad! We had the choice of steak or a rack of lamb, and it must have been good because it was the only meal I had been able to stomach for the past couple of weeks! (I'm pretty sure I've completely recovered by the way!) We managed to stay in the diner chatting until about 4pm, I'm not to sure whether the empty restraunt and it's waiters were to overjoyed at that, and it was only when they started setting up for dinner that we decided a change of location might be necissary.So after a brisk stroll around the freezing beach we took refuge in baar, for a Christmas toast, and then back home for some stella poker playing on my behalf! A game which Casey contracted the unfortunate nickname of Folds, which seems to have stuck with the Qingers crew!

After a well deserved rest we were back to the Diner the next day, to try out the infamous "homer's basket" which aquired its name for having enough grease in it for Homer Simpson. The girls had heard of it but never dared to try it, but with Casey and me there we ordered three of the most amazing basket in the world. Filled with chips,nuggets, onion rings and popcorn chicken, and eaten with a generous helping of mayo and ketchup, I really was suprised that my heart was up for it!

Apart from good places to eat the one thing that the Qingdao crew prided themselves on knowing was good bars, so off we went this time to a bar with a bouncy dance floor, another of China's greatest inventions, we do have one in Yiwu as well, which some of you may be lucky enough to have a jump on. The floors are great because even if you don't feel like dancing you can actually just bop without moving!

Next day the girls had one for class to teach which we sat in on. Then off to what had become our local by then, the DINER! When we got there we had already picked out what we were to have, only to find that they had added things to the menu. Now we were all confused and torn, I personally almost cryed when I had to cut eithter Lasagna or chicken burger. As you can all imagine the Lasagna got cut, I think the tipping point was the chips! Then back home for another evening of poker, where to all of our shock (embarrassment) Fold's cleaned up!

Last day in Qingdao was no warmer than the first, so we met the boys at the "australia hotel" which again besides the name didn't have much else true blue about it! Everyone was hoping for a bit of boxing day test action, (everyone besides me, who didn't actually know who was playing, but I think I had the excuse of if NZ isn't playing why would I care,) but much to some peoples horror and others relief, the Australia Hotel let us down again, so we had to settle for what the best hot chocolate in China. Then we went to a few markets where Caro And Mad were opened to a whole new dimension of China, the junk to buy, all the while that we in Yiwu had been buying up in bulk on little Mao watches and cute keyrings, the girls had been doing serious clothes shopping, so although the shops had nothing on Yiwu, the girls had a ball finally shopping for what china makes best JUNK! The only thing that could stop the girls from their rampage was that snow started to fall. A delicious restraunt for tea, with spicy chicken and garlic veges, and then home for the nightly poker, which this time ended at 3am, and I came out with a towering stack! Then up at 6 to head home!

So ourt Christmas had NOTHING on 44 Union's their was not a pea to pod in sight, but it was definitely an experience, and we had the best chinese christmas we could. I don't know if you can call it a white xmas, I mean there were puddles of muddy slush like snow everywhere... that story might get romanticised when I get home to NZ.

Anyway hope everyones Christmas was good Xxxx

Nanjing

noreply@blogger.com (Kate Burgess) — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 15:46:00 +0000

Last weekend we went to Nanjing, which is the old Capital of China and still quite razzle dazzle! Although my cold has come back with a vengence and is thriving on the cold weather, so a lot of the time was spent snuggled under a duvet. Luckily because I only had a cold I still had the ability to eat. Oh and eat we did! I don't care what you say about experiencing the good food of China, I now live here, and I figure if Chinese people live in NZ they are allowed Chinese food! So we had indian, mexican German, hotdogs and early morning Maccas. Which I'm sure you'll all be insanely excited about serve McChickens for breakfast.... ok well I was pretty pumped having a McChick with hashy's definitely goes down smooth. Other notes about Nanjing other than food... the hostel we stayed at again lived up to the reputaion of the fun amazingness of hostels and their owners. Although we did get locked out for coming home to late and having to scale the wall in heels, difficult at the best of times! But no, the hostel was kitted out with fussball pingpong, a lassie and a bunny, which is my going to be my newest impulse purchase when I return home, this thing was totally sweet! It would just cause so much havoc! I know you just can't wait Gezza! Although we didn't get to see many of the sights of Nanners (trying it out, don't think its got the same ring) we did get to see a fair few bars, and I can tell you they are pretty rocking, one of the bars was an ex-pat Aussie bar, which was cool, unfortunately the 3am Soccor game we were FORCED to watch before bed was not quite so much fun! So to the train ride home, which we thought would be 6 hours. Oh no no, after booking the only ticket I could with my basic knowledge of train services and chinese, we ended up on a 9 hour train ride, which broke down for 2 hours all up the 11hours was not fun! Plus the only books we had was Emma (Jane Austen) and The three Musketeers, both very intense books which we were thoroughly sick of after 11 hours of sword fights and sordid love affairs, If only Charl was there to lend me her HP. Back to Yiwu which a lot has been going on here as well. The foreign affairs minister for Zhejiang came to inspect us and the flat last week, which was a BIG deal! Trying not to be too rough on ole Uncle Pete we managed to get the money the school was owing us and a new shower within the same day! This guy was obviously a big deal, we went out for dinner with him, the pricipal and vice principal and the Mayor of Yiwu, pretty insane. It was hotpot and unfortunately the fish was added to the pot rather early on and after that I spent an eventul tea trying to look like I was eating without actually taking a bite, oh but don't worry there was things for me to drink, apparently it was our "honour" to ganbei the Mayor, and it had to be done quite regularly. So after a night of a fair few cups of red wine and no dinner, McDonalds was mightily in order! This past week did not really ease up on the business factor, Casey after a night in Yiwu, jetted back to Shangers for a night to catch up with one of her Aussie friends, so for the first time in the history of China I was alone... for a whole two days! But it was fine got a blind massage, lucky they were blind to be honest because I have a bad cold at the moment, and during the massage your head is in the hole, its actually impossible to blow your nose... This weekend heading back to Quzhou for some good old quality time with the Zhejiang crew. Xmas getting extremely close and therefore the Whanau trip is also not far away, cannot wait to see everybody. Keep me updated with the haps at home. Xx

Last couple of weeks of China

noreply@blogger.com (Kate Burgess) — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 10:44:00 +0000

I haven't blogged in a couple of weeks lost interest since losing the lappy. Since Halloween we have been pretty busy, living it up in the weekends and been teaching the kids about family for the past two weeks. The kids thought it was fabulous! And I stole Lisa's Luke as my own baby for a couple of weeks.

Shanghai was pretty mad crazy but amazing, and we were fortunate getting home easily and on time! Which I'm pretty sure everybody in the southern hemisphere has already learnt the story.

Been teaching at anther country school as well at the moment which is a pretty cool place and the people are amazingly nice, last weekend we spent our second weekend in Yiwu, we went to a bar with this teacher Tiger and his friend who we never actually learnt the name of but was a lot of fun, on Sunday just had a chilled day biking to the internet bar, unfortunately we passed it and ended up as far out as the trade city, which is only relevent to Gez, but take it from me it was quite a decent bike, my booty was awfully numb by the end of the ride.

This weekend just gone we went back to Hangzhou for the weekend and stayed at an amazing hostel, we had our own room and bathroom, and the coolest couple running it that just really loved helping us! Gave us the greatest advice about buses and bars etc. We went to a bar that had a live band and cheap jugs, the Chinese band played a english sons every couple of songs, even though we were probably the only english speakers there. Hearing a chinese band play coldplay is somehow better than the real ones! We also went to the most amazing book store, finally have got my hands on Harry Potter in chinese, so challange on. Plus they had more books than the pre 19th century classics so have juiced myself back up with books again.

The next couple of weeks are going to be pretty busy Quzhou next weekend and then a big trip to Nanjing the following which will take a good 9 hours each way, lots of people are meeting up there though so very excited!

Apart from that not much going on, at the moment I am struggling through making flags of numerous difficult countries ready for tomorrow.

In terms of the flat, the air con is still humming like a bird although we have just realised that the washingmachine and shower are no longer working, god another task for Pete, and no its not that the water is turned off or anything, come on guys give me a little cred! But I have finally got Pete to actually ask the Principal if we can get xmas off, BIG DEAL. And all we had to do was sit through another one of his Taichi perfomances, unfortunately this one involved me as a voulenteer for his strengh using the "gas" in his body, don't even ask???

Got a package from Judith today so thank her for me will you mama! I will send her a letter as soon as possible

Much love to you all, see you relatively soon Xxx Kate

Halloween

noreply@blogger.com (Kate Burgess) — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 14:27:00 +0000

Heavy week of teaching last week! Taught the kids how to talk like a NZer, which is pretty sweet, taught them "sup bro" and "laters", our whole school now officially thinks that New Zealand is more Cracka Lacking than Australia, which pleases me greatly! Also been teaching the kids about Halloween, they do not get the concept of Witch, everytime I draw one they just scream at me "HARRY POTTER" and when I say no they just say, "YES!!!!"

Clinton stayed for the week, so had another trip to the night markets and parks etc. Plus we went to a sweet Turkish joint, suprisingly delish and cheap pizza (Turkish???) We have also found a really amazing burger joint that has combo's for about 2 dollars, very pumped up!

After work on friday Arvo we rushed straight to the bus station and headed straight back to Quzhou for Peters halloween party, which was awesome, we got to meet some more Aussie's that were passing through Quzhou. Our friend Jane woke us up this morning at about 8 with chinese breakfast and toast to try with vegemite, which the Aussies are in love with. Just got home this evening, and can safely say that I am almost as dead as my poor turtles and fish, which by the way are goners. Teaching tomorrow and then a couple of rest days hopefully before Shanghai on thursday evening, well thats the plan so far, but it is Janes Birthday and she has invited us back for her birthday celebrations, plus Jinhua, the city next door to us really is calling our names!

Weather is very wet and snuggle sack suitable, which is making Casey immensely jealous! Wouyld love a call from ya'll this week, best time to catch me is at about 5pm your time, I know that is really awkward for you, or at about 10pm also rather awkward

Love you all, missing you Xx

Photos of kids coming soon x

The last douple of weeks

noreply@blogger.com (Kate Burgess) — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 09:39:00 +0000

Last weekend has been pretty fun, Dyl came to stay for 3 nights, so did the touristy thing in Yiwu, trade centre and a couple of other markets, was just as good as last time, and Casey spent just as much on toys as last time! We went shirt shopping for Dyl, it was like shopping for a rock, so I dawdled and watched a fantastic poker game that had about 2000 kuai at stake!

Case and I got some pretty amazing haircuts from this really posh joint, they give you an hour hairwash and massage which includes a face cleaning and ear cleaning. Casey and I wanted radical stripes through our hair, casey got pink which looks super cool, but when I said I wanted blue I was completely denied because they told me I would not look so beautiful. I came out with a helmet haircut which looked so asian, not to much of a fan but it had to be done at least once!

The Americans have moved in next door, after one conversation we already know that Jacob has voted for McCain, and before we met them we got a call from Peter apologetically telling us that we were apparently being too loud for Americano next door. So hmmm not sure how swell thats going to be, but we are good at buttering people up!

Our apartment has turned into a boys club, we have transformed our dining table into a pingpong table, and situated next to it is our dartboards plus numerous amounts of balls skates and bikes! Which means that even with just the two of us we have filled our weekly life with games and fun!

30 Germans have been staying with kids from the School this last week and on Thursday night we went ouy with some of the german teachers and one of our link teachers to a bar, we were picked up by a chinese doctor who spoke zero english and entered a room of about 10 people all of whom spoke zero english, as we waited for the link teachers and the Germans for about an hour they just constantly challenged us to more and more skulling contests. The boss of the bar came in shirtless and dancing and there were a couple of VERY partied out policemen.

Then off to the boys for the weekend on Friday morning firstly we had to wait for Clinton to arrive from Hangzhou, had a night of pool with the Germans and some more chinese policemen, who turn out to be really really cool. They all play Perudo at the bars, and are shocked that a) I understand the rules, b) understand the numbers in chinese and c) dominate them all at the game!

Next day we had to edit some textbooks for one of the english teachers. Which meant that he took us to an amazing coffee joint for coffee and fruit to mark, then off to Fay's house to make some dumplings, which weren't half bad, also got to make sushi and then had a complete BANQUET followed by a bit of Mah Jong with the parents!

Sorry about the complete lack of bloggage, more coming shortly about last week! Xx Kate

Oh and by the way, presents got returned to me on Friday, claiming that the present I sent for Bill was too big, PERFECT. So I have sent the rest apart from poor wee Billy, But I will try go to the post office by myself and sort iut out, leaving it up to Peter never works out amazingly well! Love you allX

QUZHOU

noreply@blogger.com (Kate Burgess) — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 09:30:00 +0000

Just got home from Quzhou which was heaps of fun! Friday we arrived early afternoon, and pretty much headed straight out to collect food for the dinner us girls were going to cook the boys. Their supermarket was amazing, we were able to buy undies that fit us and even SHORTS. We sat in on one of Johnnys lessons, which was pretty cool actually. They are really lucky their kids are between 15 and 18 so actually understand a lot and are able to talk intellectually with you! Johnny was teaching then to "hail" a taxi, and "scan read" a book! Pretty different to our school who struggle with the concept of "this is a circle!"

Case cooked a pretty delicious stirfry with mashed potato. We had Fay and Jane over for dinner, they are both chinese girls teaching english at their school and are totally amazing, Fay is 30 but looks and act s like a 17 year old! They are both really really cool! Then we went to one of the only bars in Quzhou, and met a couple of the other english teachers, Michael, a chinese guy and Peter a 30 year old American Guy. Plus a german couple. They are all really fun and CAN ACTUALLY SPEAK ENGLISH!!! Such a change from Yiwu. Saturday we played cricket with some of the kids, then went to get Dylans haircut. This time when they asked if I wanted my hairwashed I most certainly said yes! Which turned out to be a golden idea, I got a half hour massage and my hair and face cleaned, then unfortunately they styled my hair, which made me look about 56 and from a cheesy american sitcom, but meh it was sooo worth it just for free massage!

We went to an even more superior supermarket than the day before, to find things to cook chicken Parmesan. Which is apparently a staple food in australia, and they were horrified when I suggested we serve it with rice, according to them it is served in Bars with Chips or mash! In the supermarket we found mainland tasty cheese all the way from little New Zealand, you can only imagine how excited we were, seeing as we forgot to bring our quickly diminishing block from Yiwu! Jane and Fay thought that cheese was one of the weirdest tasting things ever. The chicken Parm was DELICIOUS, I am proud to call Casey my gap partner, she did our province proud! A fun night of Bai Jiu and card games, then a late night trip to the city wall, all good fun!

Last night just the four of us went to a bar and played some pool, pretty low key. This morning we headed home at about 10, it was a v. succesful trip. This weekend I think that either the boys are coming here for a bit of shopping and movies, or we might go to Hangzhou with the chinese guy, who is going there for business. The boys have a 6 day holiday this week so may be able to do both!

My laptops internet is not working which is scaring me a wee bit! Hoping that it will work again soon, will attach the photos that go with the stories soon,

Talk soon hopefully, Xx Kate

Last week in Yiwu

noreply@blogger.com (Kate Burgess) — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 09:14:00 +0000

Last week we had a few days off so explored Yiwu for the first time properly. We had another crack at the night market, and without the stress of Peter hurrying us along and the stress of dad's sweat on his brow had rather a successful shopping trip. We arrived home with about 2 billion DVDs for us and the boys, plus cacti for ourselves and TURTLES!!! Bill they are pretty ripper. They are little wriggley creatures though I am kind of scared of mine to tell the truth, I don't like touching it that much, its like a big wriggley roach or something! Mine is called life to try and ward off its inevitable death, Case's is called classy, which you guys wont understand!

We also managed to buy some kind of ice cream type material which was pretty delicious, it actually reminded me a lot of Ice cream charlies, apart from unfortunately it was the "never quite as good" kiwi fruit flavour.

The following day we scoped out a nearby park, which has an entrance fee. We were thinking that the reason for the entrance fee would have been because of its extreme beauty. Turns out we were only half right. It was a pretty park, but it had kind of circus areas and dungy rollarcoasters all around the park. It was kind of cool being somewhere that resembled a themepark in china without any crowds. Unfortunately the circus part was the most disgusting thing I have seen in China. It was pretty much like watching an advert for WSPA or something. One of the shows was 4 lions and a tiger, who got released from the tiniest cages, only to get whipped walk up stairs and along a plank. Even worse than that was the second show we saw. It had bears, monkeys and even a bloody goat walking al0ng a tightrope-like contraption. Then it had boxing bears, with boxing gloves strapped to them. Honestly I didn't know which IO wanted to do, scream cry or throw up!

The worst part about it was that the chinese families, watched the whole thing with glee. They truly didn't think that there was anything wrong with it it was pretty shocking. But apart from that the park was pretty cool. The rollarcoasters were scary enough and THERE WAS PROPER GRASS. We took off our shoes and lounged in it!

Peter is amazing

noreply@blogger.com (Kate Burgess) — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 09:59:00 +0000

Some photos of friend in Shangers

noreply@blogger.com (Kate Burgess) — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 09:54:00 +0000

Just to introduce you to some of the Aussies and fun in SHANGHAI!

The boy with the brown hair is Dylan who is in the town next door and fabulously fun! But other than that all are equally amazing so little introduction is needed!

Photos and a taste of Yiwu.

noreply@blogger.com (Kate Burgess) — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 09:30:00 +0000

Today we had a day off and had a good day checking out Yiwu, went and had dumplings in the park for lunch which was good and then had a great shop at the supermarket, bought some great vegetables, ready to cook for the boys in Quzhou. Then Case got a haircut by some totally sweet chinese babes, who all had scorpion tattoos. While she did that I went and checked out the streets around us and made some friends with some old guys playing cards on the street. Unfortunately when I tried to take a photo, the two policemen playing quickly jumped out. It was pretty amazing, then they were laughing with me saying they were being too naughty!

Then we came home to get PAID, and Peter showed us some Tai Chi which was extremely difficult to video, whilst holding my nose as to not giggle, the video lasted for 1 minute, the true performance lasted for around 8 or 9 minutes. Great times! I honestly worry about that man sometime, today he made the classic comment, "Tai Chi is sometimes slowly, but sometimes very boxing, very boxy boxy box."

This evening we are going to have dinner in a different park and watch the Tai Chi, plus today is according to Peter "old man's day" which means they will be dancing like dragons. Should be interesting!!!

Home to Yiwu

noreply@blogger.com (Kate Burgess) — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 06:49:00 +0000

Well! Shanghai was amazing! We had to get up at 4 45am this morning for the train, and were rather worried we would sleep in, I had the ingenious idea of just not sleeping, it worked well...ish, my body is kind of hating that decision!

Shanghai was a crazy blur of fun and tiredness! My soul needs a bit of a rest before starting teaching again! Met a lot of fun people in the hostel itself as well, everybody was super kind definitely an experience worth repeating. Our hostel was right on the bund with a bar upstairs, on national day there were fireworks and the upstairs was packed!

National day and actually the whole week was mad! There were just seas of people absolutely EVERYWHERE. Honestly it was like all 16billion had the same idea, THEME PARK and MUSEUM. I mean why on earth was there a three and a half hour wait for a museum it makes no sense!

No photos of shangers yet, didnt take any myself just waiting for facey photos from the others. Popping down to Quzhou next weekend to meet a german couple and KTVing it up with the boys, Jonny and Dyl. Should be a lot of fun!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HANNAH AND GEZ, My phone seems to be mucking up a bit so cannot call you. I hope you go on skype when you come home this evening! Hope you have had a great day, honestly wishing I could be there so much, my heart is with you

Charlie bear hope you are doing ok, what is wrong with you? What kind of illness? It sounds sad and sore, hope you getting better and Uni isn't too insane, but i'm sure it is!

Love you guys all so much, missing you lots on a day like this,
presents in the mail, dont expect them for a while though, rather a failed attempt at getting them their on time!

Love you, Kate

SHANGERSＢＡＢＹ

noreply@blogger.com (Kate Burgess) — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 01:29:00 +0000

Ｈｅｙ　ｅｖｅｒｙｂｏｄｙ，　ｊｕｓｔ　ａ　ｑｕｉｃｋ　ｎｏｔｅ　ｏｎ　ｔｈｅ　ｐｒｉｃｅｙ　ｌｏｂｂｙ　ｃｏｍｐｕｔｅｒｓ　ｂｅｆｏｒｅ　Ｉ　ｇｏ　ｏｕｔ　ｔｏｄａｙ．　

Ｓｈａｎｇｈａｉ　ｉｓ　ｇｏｉｎｇ　ｒｅａｌｌｙ　ｗｅｌｌ　ｉｔ　ｉｓ　ｓｏｏｏｏ　ｇｏｏｄ　ｔｏ　ｈａｖｅ　ａｎ　ｉｎｔｅｌｌｅｃｔｕａｌ　ｃｏｎｖｏ　ａｇａｉｎ！　Ｅｖｅｒｙｂｏｓｙ　ｉｓ　ｇｅｔｔｉｎｇ　ｏｎ　ｒｅａｌｌｙ　ｗｅｌｌ　ａｎｄ　Ｉｍ　ｌｏｖｉｎｇ　ｉｔ！

Ｌａｓｔ　ｎｉｇｈｔ　ｗｅ　ｗｅｎｔ　ｔｏ　ａ　ｗｅｓｔｅｒｎ　ｂａｒ，　ｗｈｉｃｈ　ｗａｓ　ｐｒｅｔｔｙ　ｆｕｎ，　ｉｎ　ｔｈｅ　ｄａｙ　ｗｅ　ｗｅｎｔ　ｕｐ　ｔｈｅ　ｔｏｗｅｒ　ｔｈｉｎｇｙ　ａｎｄ　ｗｅｎｔ　ｔｏ　ｈｏｏｔｅｒｓ，　ｊｕｓｔ　ｔｏ　ｃｈｅｃｋ　ｏｉｕｔ　ｔｈｅ　ｓｉｔｕａｔｉｏｎ　ｉｎ　ｔｈｅｒｅ！　Ｗｅ　ｗｅｎｔ　ｔｏ　ａ　ｃｏｕｐｌｅ　ｏｆ　ｍｕｓｅｕｍｓ　ｗｈｉｃｈ　ｗａｓ　ａｃｔｕａｌｌｙ　ｒａｔｈｅｒ　ｉｎｔｅｒｅｓｔｉｎｇ，　ｔｈｅ　ｓｅｘ　ｍｕｓｅｕｍ　ｂｅｉｎｇ　ｏｎｅ　ｏｆ　ｔｈｅｍ！　

Ｔｏｄａｙ　ｗｅ　ａｒｅ　ｈｅａｄｉｎｇ　ｔｏ　ａ　ｔｈｅｍｅ　ｐａｒｋ　ａｎｄ　Ｉ　ａｍ　ｒａｔｈｅｒ　ｅｘｃｉｔｅｄ，　ｗｅ　ａｒｅ　ｗｏｒｒｉｅｄ　ａｂｏｕｔ　ｔｈｅ　ｃｒｏｗｄｓ　ｔｈｏｕｇｈ，　ｓｅｅｉｎｇ　ａｓ　ａ　ｌｏｔ　ｏｆ　ｋｉｄｓ　ａｒｅ　ａｌｒｅａｄｙ　ｏｎ　ｔｈｅｉｒ　ｎａｔｉｏｎａｌ　ｄａｙ　ｈｏｌｉｄａｙ！　

Ｗｅｌｌ　ｉｔ　ｗａｓ　ｈｏｎｅｓｔｌｙ　ｊｕｓｔ　ａ　ｑｕｉｃｋ　ｎｏｔｅ　ｔｏ　ｔｅｌｌ　ｙｏｕ　Ｉｍ　ｓｔｉｌｌ　ａｌｉｖｅ　ａｎｄ　ｂｒｅａｔｈｉｎｇ，Ｌｏｖｅ　ｙｏｕ　ａｌｌ　ｈｏｐｅ　ｔｏ　ｔａｌｋ　ｓｏｏｎ　ｘｘ

Ｐ．ｓ　ｗｅｎｔ　ｔｏ　ｔｈｅ　ＭＯＳＴ　ａｍａｚｉｎｇ　ｍａｓｓａｇｅ　ｐａｒｌｏｕｒ，　ｉｔ　ｗａｓ　ＳＯＯＯＯ　ｇｏｏｄ　ａｎｄ　Ｉ　ｋｎｏｗ　ｈｏｗ　ｊｅａｌｏｕｓ　ｙｏｕ　ｗｉｌｌ　ａｌｌ　ｂｅ．

ｐｐｓ　ｔｈｅ　ｗｒｉｔｉｎｇ　ｉｓ　ｈａｒｄ　ｔｏ　ｇｅｔ　ｎｏｔｒｍａｌ　ｈｅｒｅ　ｓｏ　ｔｈｉｓ　ｉｓ　ｔｈｅ　ｂｅｓｔ　Ｉ　ｃｏｕｌｄ　ｄｏ，　ｈｏｐｅ　ｙｏｕ　ｃａｎ　ｒｅａｄ　ｉｔ！

ＸＸKate

Hangzhou

noreply@blogger.com (Kate Burgess) — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 14:45:00 +0000

This weekend we had a wee trip to Hangzhou, again I think that Dad will cover it in his blog, it is a really beautiful city and will def be up for a weekend trip again, even for just a relax and cool down. Pretty decent night market there that Im a tad excited about, got a wee bit allerg though so couldnt experience the fullness of the market! Love to visit that baby again

So we had dinner with the teachers and principals on Sunday evening, officially LOVE the vice principal who got some serious asian flush from three beers, spoke not one cent of english, but still learnt the word for dancing, which he will be taking us to do in the not too distant future apparently. Probably my favourite conversation was about naughtiness. From chinese to english the translation has no connotations, but when Peter said that he was a naughty old man, I could hardly help choking on the worst red wine possible before calling it petrol!

Unfortunately I tought Gez the word Ganbei, which I thought was the equivilent of cheers in english. Actually it means bottoms up, and once they knew that Dad knew the word he was getting Ganbei'd left right and centre, skulling the petrol like substance did not please him that much I don't think!

Last night Pete took us to the night market here in Yi Wu. Please would you be over to pop over to China as soon as possible Charlotte it is rather essential that you get here and to the market straight away! There is so many glittery glam articles of clothing, which Casey is NOT a fan of. It aggrivates her a little bit more with each speck of glitter that wraps my body.

Had breakfast with Papa today in the hotel before he went to the train station, now I have about 5 hours in a pre paid for 5 star hotel! Yeah life is pretty good actually. Right now I am in a robe sipping a cola, living the goodlife on a tuesday morning.

Boys coming to visit us on Friday, taking them to the night market and checking out some bars perhaps. Shanger on Sat so may not have another op to blog, til next wek or something.

Reading the blog, 5 minutes
Commenting on the blog, 2 minutes
Knowing that people are caring, timeless
(BILL BURGESS THIS MOST DEFINITELY APPLYS TO YOU)

Love you all lots, It was sooooo good to have dad here,

Kate

Phanty

noreply@blogger.com (Kate Burgess) — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 04:32:00 +0000

By the way hannah I though you might like to know that the baby photo's are a work in process, happening as we speak, for now you will have to do with this pick of Case and I as bald as babies, with the ridiculous caps they made us wear it the pools

Yiwu meet Dad.

noreply@blogger.com (Kate Burgess) — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 04:12:00 +0000

So Dad is here in Yi Wu which is awesome, going out for great meals every evening instead of the schools gruel like meals is pretty rocking.

My blog will probably cross over with Gez's but mine will probably be more accurate. Yesterday we hit the markets which was good fun. Case and I were rather worried what we had read about Yi Wu was all an elusive lie in an attempt to get us here. But the markets were extreme, Beijing silky is childs play compared to our market, which is rightfully named"trade city," Casey got rather blown away with the number of toys available and seemed to purchase the whole first floor worth of things.

Unfortunately we left the trade city without even leaving the equivilent of New Brighton. Still have not reached bags or cosmetics, then went to another market almost as big, Dad went mad that time, got so many shirts that he then lost control of all other elements, lost track of time and got completely lost (see how the accuracy of the story is more precis on this blog).

Dad then came to see the apartmant, then back to the hotel for a fabulously cold swim, and a powerful shower, as opposed to our dribble in the apartment.

To Hangzhou tomorrow, which should be fun, teaching in a different school this afternoon so a bit of a walk which is not so attractive really seeing I think it is at least 40c today, can only imagine dad struggling to venture outside the hotel without immediately having the sweaty arm disease!

First Day of Teaching

noreply@blogger.com (Kate Burgess) — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 00:45:00 +0000

So Beijing was truly fabulous we did heaps of amazing things and the wall was yet again amazing, I think I could walk up every second day and still be happy. I'm going to flag mentioning too much because I'm sure Dad or Cam and Pen will on their blog.

Unfortunately the trip home put rather a dampner on the trip. It was one of those horribly cliche moments in a movie when somebody is trying to reach the love of their life and everything goes wrong. Firstly we gave our taxi driver the piece of paper Nancy had written us which said, please take us to the railway station (to YiWu). Unfortunately the taxi driver only read the second half, as soon as he saw to YiWu he was happy as larry, making a sweet profit off the foriegners who could pay for the hour and half ride to YiWu.

I realised about once on the motorway, and much to drivers disgust I forced him to turn around! We had a rather heated discussion in chinese, but finally got to the station.

But alas the drama was not over yet, we could not to save ourselves find the place to buy tickets, and by this time my 22kg pack and Casey's 4 bags were waying down our spirits and our bodies!
It was the end of a public holiday in China which meant that almost every chineseman wanted to get home just as much as us, after queueing up in a line for about 40minute only to be told that we were in the wrong line, and me not actually understanding where I was meant to go, seeing as the railway ladies were speaking fast and fluent Chinese to me, we made a guess, which was right! AND THEN THE TRAIN TICKETS WERE SOLD OUT TIL THE EVENING. Fabulous!

We ended up going with a private driving company who stood nearby, and with the help of the kindest couple who spoke english, we got the fare bartered down, and finally we were on our way.

Throughout the whole ordeal we didnt even cry, although in occassions both our eyes were prickling, and there is nothing like a crisis to make you learn a whole lot of chinese language, I now know myself how to say take me to the railway station and we need two tickets NOW for YiWu.

So started teaching yesterday. First class our carefully devised lesson plans lasted for about 12 minutes, from then on I was winging it! The kids were a lot smarter than our teachers had given them credit for. So after a huge simon says battle between the kids, I re-did my plan and the rest of the four classes went pretty well. Not sure how much I actually tought them though, they were pretty clued up already.

But they did have a lot of fun, and they do study awfully hard, a bit of a fun nothingy class every second week is OK by me!

Loving you all, oh and so happy that Percy and Brookie actually commented!

Missing everyone
xxx Kate

BEIJING

noreply@blogger.com (Kate Burgess) — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 10:20:00 +0000

Hello al, am commenting from an EXTREME internet cafe, which has probably the most insane person working on front desk who demanded to see my passport before I sat down!!! Oh and spoke little english, and was rather annoyed that I spoke little Chinese.

Its pretty kitted out, there are some pretty extreme WOWer's in here, which is as it turns out just as big in the land of China as it is in New Zealand.

Just quickly posting to say that Case and I are in Beijing just fine, today we made our own way to the silk market on the trains, having to transfer in between and walk for a couple of blocls. We were so pleased that we didn't get lost or eaten by the train that I thought I just had to share!

Really insanely busy days for the next couple of days so just going to take it easy tonight amd get ready for the wall tomorrow. The silk market was just as amazing as I remember, but we quite honestly just did not get a chance to go to the shoe section. But Charlotte I most sincerely promise that I will force Dad to buy some Bape's when he goes back on Sunday. It was soooo insanely busy because they had buses of paralympians there as well. But much to my excitement they seemed to like people living in China a million times more than people who just spoke Chinese! So I got some pretty heavy Guanxi. PERFECT!

Well bes be going or Casey will start freaking suspecting that I have been kidnapped,
love you all lots Kate xx

Oh and a couple of pics of our apartment

noreply@blogger.com (Kate Burgess) — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 08:43:00 +0000

My room

The dining room area

The school itself

Our awfully intimidating entrance

My new apartment

noreply@blogger.com (Kate Burgess) — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 08:31:00 +0000

So I have figured pout how to get my pics up! Yuss!

Last night we went to the peoples park and to the river in Yi wu. It is actually quite a nice city, not too poluted and quite charming. We took our new bikes and it was soooo much easirer than walking in the dispisingly hot air. It just feels like we should be on holiday, I have never been this hot and not been able to swim!

This evening we are going to the teachers day ceremony which may be a little awkward, we have to sing three blind mice to all of the teachers. I truly feel like one of those mice, stumbling around without a clue. All will be good though!

By the was 10 out of 10 for Beijing!!! Whoop here we come!

Woohoo Yiwu

noreply@blogger.com (Kate Burgess) — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 13:46:00 +0000

YUSSSSS I am in Yiwu and ready.

The end of Kunming was truly amazing I juat had the most amazing time that I want to DIE. I loved it so much. On Thursday night we had a bit of a party at a hostel bar with many foreigners it was awesome. All of us made it there and had a blast. Last night we just all chilled in Jack's room then up at 4 45 am to say goodbye to the earlybirds, which was really sad we seem to have just bonded like sticky tape to a painted wall.

Made it to Hangzhou at about 3 30 then headed off to Yiwu with our link teacher who is a bit weird but kind. He took us out for dinner with some of the other teachers and a couple of the wealthy students and their parents. Which was really kind but awfully strange. They just kept filling our glasses with red wine and cheersing us, which meant drink up. Then they took us to the supermarket and shouted us some towels and cleaning product etc.

Our flat is amazing!!!! We have two massive bedrooms with double beds air conditioning computer printer microwave clean water cooler and all. Plus wireless connection which fricking rules!

Tomorrow the Chinese english teacher is taking us out at 10am. She is really nice and seems like a laugh.

The boys in our province, Jonny and Dylan are only about 40mins away and Shanghai is about 3 hours. All very convenient. We have a week off this wek to figure out the city and prepare for class, then we have another week off in October along with EVERYBODY in China. So that will be a bit intense. I think we will try get to Shanghai to meet the others.

Anyway Lappy up and running. Therefore SKYPE ME BABY

xx Kate

Keeping cool in Kunming

noreply@blogger.com (Kate Burgess) — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 06:11:00 +0000

Wow have had barely anytime for bloggage. We've been uber busy. The sweet life of learning and partying with reckless Australians. Tuesday we had a day off so we had a bit of a crack at the night life on Monday. We all went seperate ways because some nights a strong party machine is just too much. We were generously welcomed into a classy joint free of charge while others had to pay which was great guangxi. It was probaably the weirdest thing I have ever experienced. We were brought right up to the stage and they made others move so we could sit, then there was a show with crazy chinese men one dressed as a clown just screaming chinese. But ultimately we think that it was a strip joint, as there were awfully promiscious women waiting for their turn on stage. So we kindly thanked them and scooted away, to their extreme dissapointment. The more they wanted us to stay the more we thought oh dear.
But donother we had big strong boys with us, who were more keen to stay.

Then we headed to the most amazing KTV bar you could ever imagine! It had over 600 private rooms and a supermarket inside the facinity. A went in to grab a couple of beers, and wasn't allowed to actually carry the beer I had a wee asian lady follow me with a basket all the way back to the room. KTV is just pure clean fun. It is absolutely amazing and once we d out the machine we were set with all of the english words we could imagine.

The day we all went to the golden temple and then up a mountain, in a really really dodgy chairlift, I was nervous god I can't imagine what mum have thought. It was a really really cool day. In the evening we just got take away pizza in the park next to the river. They light up the whole river and its still warm enough to go around in shorts and tees.

We have a local pub now which we hit up, the good old chapter one but I think tonight we will be actually clubbing seenig as its the last night.

Yesterday I had my teaching thing infront of the pretend students. It went pretty well but everyone was way more nervous than we thought. Can't imagine what 60 or 70 kids is going to do to us!

Everything is pretty amazing here. I get on with everyone so well! We are all going to meet up again for a long weekend in Shanghai, and if I can sought out the visas maybe a wee trip to Nam could be on the agenda. Going to my placement on Sat which will be exciting, but it is going to be so uber gay leaving everyone!

Well love you all, can't wait to hear your voices Kate xxx

P.s Charl the true story is coming for you, no time

LOVE

Monday Morning

noreply@blogger.com (Kate Burgess) — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 00:36:00 +0000

Good morning all,
Hope the weekend was good guys! Bill you freaking Legend mate! You won??? Thats extreme take that michael, you would dominate him in a street fight! What partying did you do Charlie? End up getting to go to Ak's?

So China is still fabby. Time runs into itself a bit seeing as we schooled it all weekend. Went to a school to observe yesterday which was pretty fun they were about 11 and learning about the legend of Marathon, saying things like repeat after me... Spartans. It was intense, the kids were cool though and am looking forward to teaching.

Case and I woke up early this morning and went to the bakery for some nummy carbs! Im eating a loaf of brown bread (white is sugary) and a coke. My kind of life! Tomorrow we have a day of and we are going hiking in the mountains. Then to a zoo or theme park I think. Tonight we may have to get a tad bit party because the scot Declan is turning 18 in about a week or two!

The other New Zealander came last night and is pretty insanely fun. But they do bread them rough in Ashburton! My roomie Sarah is sick today thus why Im here so early... not so pleasant to share a room with a sicky! But other than that everything is just spiffing

I don't know about pics yet... prob not til I get my lappy internetted. Love you all and miss you all xxx

p.s Charl it might interest you to know that we have a home and away beachbabe with us who got to pash Aiden! AMAZING

love love love

Kunming

noreply@blogger.com (Kate Burgess) — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 05:34:00 +0000

Hello all!

Safely arrived in Kunming which is yet too rain so far! It is a really cool city with a lake right next to the hotel and in traditional chinese style so many fairy lights I could almost gag!

Everybody is so much fun, the Australians are sweet fun and Casey is really chillaxed cool! Last night we had dinner with the whole group and then went out for what turned out to be a PAAAAARTY! Charlie you'd be proud of me, although it is going to be awfully difficult to burn all my money seeing as the massive massive bottles of beer are less than a dollar. Oh yes I drink beer now which is a little bit fun! But all in all a fabulous night. The downside was loosing the one key to our room and sleeping on the floor in anothers! But it turns out that the beds are pretty much like that at any rate.

I'm on my lunch break now from the course which turns out to be pretty boring really! The course is really when the jetlag catches up on me. We went to an amazing dumpling place for luch which even with my distrust of the slippery suckers turned out to be deliciously devine.

Everything is going really really well, I totally happy! Prob wont be able to skype until Yiwu though.

Takeaway dinner by the lake this evening, fol;lowed by some well needed sleep. Love to all xx Kate

Hong Kong Airport

noreply@blogger.com (Kate Burgess) — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 23:24:00 +0000

One of my new found friends, an old chook and I just transferred to our Dragon air flights. I muttered something about finding internet and scooted away, she was very Canadian and slightly embarrassing to hang with.

So now just waiting in the airport for my flight which is about 5 hours away. But will shortly be checking out the food situation around here, The clock says early but tummy says lunchtime!

Well the plane was interesting. I had the great treat of sitting by myself with the most insane korean guy I have truly ever seen. He was manic! The nice mummy behind me thought Autism. Unfortunately for me this meant that he often did strange things like call over 5 hostess's to ask whether he needed to sign a slip, getting up right when we got our meals causing impossible balancing acts with me holding both of our trays and forcing me to turn off my reading light, and at one point television, the latter of the two I naturally refused. But on the upside everybody around me took great sympathy on me and were pretty sweet.

Because of this odd boy next to me it was difficult to have a conversation, he tried once when he was rather angry that my Vegan meal came far earlier than his but that was about the extent of our convo. Fortunately his lack of english and sense did allow me to call him both a pongo and an angel. He had no idea what was going on though.

But my greatest feat was the airhostess that I got so good. Taking sympathy on me at first but then became convinced that we knew each other and asked if I still lived in Auckland, which of course "I did" and by the end of the trip I left him with a great wave, and a "Well I'll see you soon I guess, hope you have a great trip" lol lol lol. I rule.

Vegans must starve their whole lives. I'm going to find myself some meat. Much love XXXX